[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 26, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H7147-H7149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HARRIET TUBMAN BICENTENNIAL COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT

  Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1842) to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint 
commemorative coins in recognition of the Bicentennial of Harriet 
Tubman's birth.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1842

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Harriet Tubman Bicentennial 
     Commemorative Coin Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) Harriet Tubman was a formerly enslaved abolitionist who 
     guided about 70 people from slavery to freedom in 10 years.
       (2) Born in March 1822, Tubman was a notable abolitionist 
     who not only freed herself, but also freed others from 
     slavery.
       (3) Harriet Ross Tubman, born Araminta ``Minty'' Ross, was 
     born enslaved on the plantation of Anthony Thompson in 
     Dorchester County, Maryland.
       (4) With the help of the Underground Railroad network, in 
     the fall of 1849, Tubman escaped from Poplar Neck in Caroline 
     County, Maryland, heading north to freedom in Pennsylvania.
       (5) With the passing of the Fugitive Slave Act as part of 
     the Compromise of 1850, the operations to help enslaved 
     persons escape became dangerous and she risked her life to 
     rescue them from slavery.
       (6) Despite passage of the Compromise of 1850 and the 
     Fugitive Slave Act, Tubman continued her work, escorting her 
     refugees to Canada instead.
       (7) It was during the 1850s that Tubman made 13 trips back 
     to Maryland, guiding approximately 70 enslaved persons to the 
     North, including family members, and providing instruction to 
     about 70 more who found their way to freedom on their own.
       (8) Regardless of the arduous process of helping fugitive 
     enslaved persons escape through the Underground Railroad, not 
     a single person was recaptured under Tubman's supervision.
       (9) During 1859, Tubman aided abolitionist John Brown by 
     recruiting supporters for his raid on Harper's Ferry, a 
     planned insurrection against slaveholders in Virginia and 
     Maryland.
       (10) In the beginning of the Civil War, Tubman served as a 
     spy, cook, and nurse in South Carolina and Florida.
       (11) Tubman also recruited newly freed African-American men 
     to join regiments of African-American soldiers called United 
     States Colored Troops.
       (12) In recognition of her abilities, Tubman served as an 
     army scout and spy for Major General David Hunter and Colonel 
     James Montgomery. Harriet Tubman was inducted into the 
     Military Intelligence Corps Hall of Fame.
       (13) Tubman distinguished herself as the first woman to 
     lead an armed expedition in the Civil War, the Combahee River 
     Raid, resulting in more than 700 enslaved persons in South 
     Carolina being freed.
       (14) After the Civil War, Tubman frequently sheltered and 
     fed newly freed enslaved persons at her home on South Street 
     in Auburn, New York, which she purchased from Secretary of 
     State William Henry Seward, even though she had little money 
     herself. She found a means to an end by working as a 
     domestic, selling produce from her garden, taking in 
     donations of food, loans from friends, and raising pigs on 
     her farm.
       (15) Tubman became active in the women's movement as early 
     as 1860. She attended meetings and gave speeches in her home 
     State of New York, as well as in Boston and Washington, D.C.
       (16) Tubman was an avid advocate for African-American women 
     and their civil rights. In 1896, she was invited as a speaker 
     at the first meeting of the National Association of Colored 
     Women in Washington, D.C.
       (17) Although living in financial insecurity, Tubman 
     transferred a 25-acre parcel of land to the African Methodist 
     Episcopal Zion Church in 1903, which eventually became The 
     Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged and Indigent Negroes. At the 
     time, few social services existed for elderly and ill people 
     of color.
       (18) Escaping slavery, risking everything to save her 
     family and friends, aiding enslaved persons in escape from 
     slavery, leading a military raid, championing the cause of 
     women's suffrage, advocating for civil rights and access to 
     health care, Harriet Tubman is an individual that has 
     performed achievements that have had profound impacts on 
     history and culture in the United States.

     SEC. 3. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.

       (a) Denominations.--In commemoration of Harriet Tubman, the 
     Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter referred to in this Act 
     as the ``Secretary'') shall mint and issue the following 
     coins:
       (1) $5 gold coins.--Not more than 50,000 $5 coins, which 
     shall--
       (A) weigh 8.359 grams;
       (B) be struck on a planchet having a diameter of 0.850 
     inches; and
       (C) contain at least 90 percent gold.
       (2) $1 silver coins.--Not more than 400,000 $1 coins, which 
     shall--
       (A) weigh 26.73 grams;
       (B) be struck on a planchet having a diameter of 1.500 
     inches; and
       (C) contain at least 90 percent silver.
       (3) Half-dollar clad coins.--Not more than 750,000 half-
     dollar coins which shall--
       (A) weigh 11.34 grams;
       (B) have a diameter of 1.205 inches; and
       (C) be minted to the specifications for half-dollar coins 
     contained in section 5112(b) of title 31, United States Code.
       (b) Legal Tender.--The coins minted under this Act shall be 
     legal tender, as provided in section 5103 of title 31, United 
     States Code.
       (c) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of sections 5134 and 
     5136 of title 31, United States Code, all coins minted under 
     this Act shall be considered to be numismatic items.

     SEC. 4. DESIGNS OF COINS.

       (a) Design Requirements.--
       (1) In general.--The designs of the coins minted under this 
     Act shall be emblematic of the legacy of Harriet Tubman as an 
     abolitionist. At least one obverse design shall bear the 
     image of Harriet Tubman.
       (2) Designation and inscriptions.--On each coin minted 
     under this Act, there shall be--
       (A) an inscription of Harriet Tubman;
       (B) a designation of the value of the coin;
       (C) an inscription of the year ``2024''; and
       (D) inscriptions of the words ``Liberty'', ``In God We 
     Trust'', ``United States of America'', and ``E Pluribus 
     Unum''.
       (b) Selection.--The designs for the coins minted under this 
     Act shall be--
       (1) selected by the Secretary, after consultation with the 
     National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, 
     Ohio, The Harriet Tubman Home, Inc. in Auburn, New York, and 
     the Commission of the Fine Arts; and
       (2) reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.

     SEC. 5. ISSUANCE OF COINS.

       (a) Quality of Coins.--Coins minted under this Act shall be 
     issued in uncirculated and proof qualities.
       (b) Mint Facility.--Only 1 facility of the United States 
     Mint may be used to strike any particular quality of the 
     coins minted under this Act.
       (c) Period for Issuance.--The Secretary may issue coins 
     under this Act only during the period beginning on January 1, 
     2024, and ending on December 31, 2024.

     SEC. 6. SALE OF COINS.

       (a) Sale Price.--The coins issued under this Act shall be 
     sold by the Secretary at a price equal to the sum of--
       (1) the face value of the coins;
       (2) the surcharge provided under section 7(a) with respect 
     to the coins; and
       (3) the cost of designing and issuing the coins (including 
     labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses, 
     marketing, and shipping).
       (b) Bulk Sales.--The Secretary shall make bulk sales of the 
     coins issued under this Act at a reasonable discount.
       (c) Prepaid Orders.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall accept prepaid orders 
     for the coins minted under this Act before the issuance of 
     the coins.
       (2) Discount.--Sale prices with respect to prepaid orders 
     under paragraph (1) shall be at a reasonable discount.

     SEC. 7. SURCHARGES.

       (a) In General.--All sales of coins issued under this Act 
     shall include--
       (1) a surcharge of $35 per coin for the $5 coins;
       (2) a surcharge of $10 per coin for the $1 coins; and
       (3) a surcharge of $5 per coin for the half-dollar coin.
       (b) Distribution.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
     subject to section 5134(f) of title 31, United States Code, 
     all surcharges received by the Secretary from the sale of 
     coins issued under this Act shall be promptly paid by the 
     Secretary equally to the National Underground Railroad 
     Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, and The Harriet Tubman 
     Home, Inc. in Auburn, New York, for the purpose of 
     accomplishing and advancing their missions.
       (2) Exception.--Notwithstanding section 5134(f)(1) of title 
     31, United States Code, if an entity described in paragraph 
     (1) of this subsection raises funds from private sources in 
     an amount that is less than the total amount of the proceeds 
     of the surcharge derived from the sale of the coins issued 
     under this Act, the Secretary shall promptly pay to the other 
     entity the proceeds of such surcharge.
       (c) Audits.--The National Underground Railroad Freedom 
     Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, and The Harriet Tubman Home, Inc. 
     in Auburn, New York, shall be subject to the audit 
     requirements of section 5134(f)(2) of title 31, United States 
     Code, with regard to the amounts received under subsection 
     (b).
       (d) Limitation.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), no 
     surcharge may be included with respect to the issuance under 
     this Act of any coin during a calendar year if, as of the 
     time of such issuance, the issuance of such coin would result 
     in the number of commemorative coin programs issued during 
     such year to exceed the annual 2 commemorative coin program 
     issuance limitation

[[Page H7148]]

     under section 5112(m)(1) of title 31, United States Code. The 
     Secretary of the Treasury may issue guidance to carry out 
     this subsection.

     SEC. 8. FINANCIAL ASSURANCES.

       The Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary 
     to ensure that--
       (1) minting and issuing coins under this Act will not 
     result in any net cost to the United States Government; and
       (2) no funds, including applicable surcharges, are 
     disbursed to any recipient designated in section 7 until the 
     total cost of designing and issuing all of the coins 
     authorized by this Act (including labor, materials, dies, use 
     of machinery, winning design compensation, overhead expenses, 
     marketing, and shipping) is recovered by the United States 
     Treasury, consistent with sections 5112(m) and 5134(f) of 
     title 31, United States Code.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Waters) and the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, today I rise in strong support of H.R. 1842, the 
Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act.
  I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks) for his tireless 
efforts to ensure that Congress celebrates and upholds Harriet Tubman's 
legacy of passionate advocacy for civil rights, women's suffrage, and 
the liberation of enslaved persons.
  Historians value coins and currencies as an important form of visual 
storytelling. This is because the objects and, more importantly, the 
people depicted on a currency reflects the values and the narratives 
that a society tells about itself. As such, I cannot think of an 
individual who more perfectly embodies American values of seeking 
justice, protecting freedom, and enduring personal sacrifices in the 
pursuit of a more perfect Union than Harriet Tubman.
  Born enslaved in March 1822 on the plantation of Anthony Thompson in 
Dorchester County, Maryland, Harriet Ross Tubman, also known as 
Araminta ``Minty'' Ross, was a notable abolitionist, who not only freed 
herself but also others from slavery.
  After freeing herself in the fall of 1849 with the help of the 
Underground Railroad network, Tubman devoted herself to the arduous and 
life-threatening process of freeing other enslaved persons. Throughout 
the 1850s, Tubman made 13 trips back to Maryland, guiding approximately 
70 enslaved persons to the north, including family members, and 
providing instruction to about 70 more who found their way to freedom 
on their own.
  During the Civil War, Tubman served as a spy, cook, and a nurse in 
South Carolina and Florida. She also recruited newly freed African-
American men to join regiments of African-American soldiers called 
United States Colored Troops and served herself as an Army scout and 
spy for Union leaders Major General David Hunter and Colonel James 
Montgomery. For her invaluable service, Tubman was inducted into the 
Military Intelligence Corps Hall of Fame.
  After the Civil War, Tubman continued her legacy of activism and care 
for the community, often sheltering and providing for newly freed, 
formerly enslaved persons in her home on South Street in Auburn, New 
York.
  Ms. Tubman was also an ardent supporter of women's suffrage, civil 
rights, and access to healthcare, and would attend meetings and give 
speeches in support of these rights in Boston, New York City, and 
Washington, D.C.
  This bipartisan bill championed by Representative Meeks and 
Representative Katko would provide tangible support to the National 
Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the 
Harriet Tubman Home, Incorporated, in Auburn, New York, to advance 
their shared mission of sharing Harriet Tubman's legacy and continuance 
to advance her vision of a more just and equitable America.
  This bill directs the Secretary of the Treasury to produce 
noncirculating commemorative coins for purchase bearing Harriet 
Tubman's image and depicting her legacy as an abolitionist.
  I thank Representatives Meeks and Katko for introducing this historic 
bill, and I urge Members to support this bill.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  2100

  Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise, too, in support of H.R. 1842, the Harriet 
Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act.
  Harriet Tubman, born Araminta Ross, is one of the most well-known 
conductors of the Underground Railroad. An escaped slave herself, 
Harriet navigated the Underground Railroad and reached safety in 
Philadelphia in 1849.
  Instead of remaining in Philadelphia, Harriet made numerous secret 
return trips to Maryland to free her friends and family. It is unclear 
just how many trips she made, but over a 10-year period, she never once 
lost one of her passengers, and she was never caught.
  Many know Harriet for her contributions to the Underground Railroad. 
However, the knowledge she gained by leading numerous covert missions 
was also critical to the Union military success.
  In addition to mapping Southern towns and transportation routes for 
the Union Army, Harriet Tubman would disguise herself as an unassuming 
elderly slave and wander the streets of Confederate towns, scouting 
military positions and supply lines, once again proving that Harriet 
was always willing to put her life on the line to defeat and destroy 
the system of slavery.
  Harriet Tubman lived a truly extraordinary life and, in doing so, 
saved countless lives, not only those she navigated to freedom but of 
Union soldiers who used her intelligence to defeat their opponents, the 
Confederate forces.
  Her incredible life cannot be summarized in 1 speech or 10 on this 
House floor, but the commemorative coin produced by H.R. 1842 will 
hopefully inspire a new generation to study her history.
  Madam Speaker, I support this bill, and I urge my colleagues to 
support it as well, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time until my 
colleague yields back.
  Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, let me say that each day as I drive through 
downtown Little Rock, I pass the most handsome statue of Harriet Tubman 
right outside our city hall. She has her walking stick and her cape. 
She is in that disguise as that slave woman walking the streets of that 
Confederate town. It brings inspiration to all the citizens of Little 
Rock to see this extraordinary woman in this public piece of art in 
front of our city hall.
  Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Katko), an author of the bill.
  Mr. KATKO. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the comments of my colleagues, 
Ms. Waters and Mr. Hill, and I adopt those comments as well.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 1842, 
the Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act.
  It is an honor and privilege to speak in support of this bill, which 
comes to the floor just over 200 years from the time of Harriet 
Tubman's birth.
  Across this country and around the world, Harriet Tubman is 
remembered as an icon of freedom and an agent of change. After her 
escape from slavery and work as a conductor on the Underground 
Railroad, Harriet Tubman resided in Auburn, New York, for several 
years--right down the road from her friend and mentor, William Seward.
  Her former home has become a cherished site in central New York, and 
I have been proud to represent the Harriet Tubman Home and work with 
its caretaker since I came to Congress. Today's vote represents one of 
the most significant steps forward in strengthening Federal recognition 
of the Harriet Tubman Home since its designation as a national park in 
2017.

[[Page H7149]]

  Specifically, I am pleased that the coins issued under this 
legislation bearing Harriet Tubman's likeness and symbolizing her 
legacy will directly benefit preservation and education efforts at the 
Tubman Home in Auburn for years to come.
  Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Meeks for joining me in 
introducing the House version of this bill, as well as Senators Portman 
and Rosen for their successful efforts to unanimously pass this 
legislation in the Senate earlier this year.
  Madam Speaker, I look forward to sending this bill to the President's 
desk for signature, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of 
honoring a truly great American hero who was tough as nails.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to follow the recommendation from 
Mr. Katko and support H.R. 1842, and I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlemen from New York, Mr. Meeks and Mr. 
Katko, for their hard work on this bill. I thank the gentlewoman from 
Nevada, Senator Rosen, and the gentleman from Ohio, Senator Portman, 
for leading the Senate companion version of this bill.
  Who we choose to honor on our currency says a lot about who we are 
and what we value as a society. This bill is an opportunity for us to 
declare to ourselves and to our prosperity that we are a society who 
values courage in the face of oppression, and liberty and justice for 
all, not just for the lucky few.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to declare themselves as 
supporters of these shared American values by supporting this bill, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1842.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________